The ORPHANS are gritty girls that are neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and lovable. Each actress should be able to shape her own specific character, be a good singer and visually expressive.

MOLLY is the littlest, age 6

KATE is the next-to-youngest, age 7

TESSIE is the crybaby, age 10

PEPPER is the toughest, age 12

JULY is the quietest, age 13

DUFFY is the oldest, age 13

MISS HANNIGAN is a definite "has-been." Her distaste for her job should ooze from every line she delivers.

GRACE FARRELL is Oliver Warbucks's calm,cool and classy secretary. She appears businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan and Warbucks, yet maternal toward Annie. This is a great feature part for an actress who is likable, sweet and confident.

ROOSTER HANNIGAN and LILY ST. REGIS are the comic team who claim to be Annie's parents but are revealed to be Miss Hannigan's swindling brother and his sleazy girlfriend in disguise. These characters play off each other constantly.

OLIVER WARBUCKS is the daunting millionaire who made his fortune during World War I as an industrialist. In the beginning, Warbucks is awkwardly affectionate toward Annie and then finds himself completely charmed by her.

SANDY is the stray dog that Annie adopts. Sandy has no lines but has the capability of earning spontaneous applause when he sings "Tomorrow" with Annie!

DRAKE and the SERVANTS are the loyal domestic help of Oliver Warbucks. Your kids will have fun perfecting precision steps, nods and curtsies. This group of performers sings with the ensemble and can be double cast as New Yorkers in "N.Y.C." This is another excellent place to expand your cast.

The APPLE SELLER opens Scene 2 speaking to Annie and giving her an apple. LT. WARD is the policeman who questions Annie about Sandy, the stray dog. This is also a great cameo role for a principal or well-known community member.

BERT HEALY is the classic announcer on a radio show of the era. This is a non-singing role and is perfect for someone who is naturally funny with a big voice.

BUNDLES is the laundryman for the orphanage. This is a minor speaking role and is perfect for the actor who can create a likeable character.

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT is enlisted by Oliver Warbucks to help locate Annie's parents. He will be pushed onstage in a wheelchair and delivers a momentous line about "A New Deal!"

LOUIS HOWE is President Roosevelt's trustworthy aide.

STAR (S)-TO-BE is a glamorous diva in the number "N.Y.C." Feel free to cast multiple girls in this part and split the singing solos between them.

The USHERETTE ushers Warbucks, Annie and Grace to their seats in the Roxy at the end of "N.Y.C." She has one line and then sings with the ensemble.

The NEW YORKERS are comprised of a wonderfully colorful collection of characters, usually identified by their occupation. It is great fun to have your students explore and develop these characters in the historical context of the 1930s. Some ideas for these roles are: street vendors, homeless people, tourists, taxi drivers, newsboys, pickpockets, street cleaners, mothers and children, additional stars-to-be, and news reporters.